“Chita” from Alcobaça watch

The manufacture of cotton fabrics was developed as early as 1530 in Alcobaça, “Chita” being the most important printed cotton fabric.

The printing technique was hand made through the application of the dies on imprints directly on the fabrics. This industry took an important part in the portuguese economy of the 18th and 19th centuries with the exports of these fabrics to Brazil.

The patterns on “Chita” from Alcobaça have their origins in the colourful influences of India with large stripes of motifs decorated with exotic birds, animals, flowers, tropical fruits, human figures, cornucopias and pitchers.

Nowadays the tradition of the “Chita” fabrics continues thanks to the contests held every year in the Alcobaça region, where the artisans and modern designers create new ways to use such a characteristic product.